Having a Bali

Published: 2008.07.28 07:20 AM

Your mission: Gather the latest intel on fashion trends from Italy, Spain, Brazil, Australia and Indonesia. Culture, traditional arts and fabrics, and anything found in nature are hot spots. Blend in with artisans by creating a line of garments, connecting with locals while purchasing their crafts and accessories. Bring back a saleable line to complete the look and your identity...

Don’t worry, you don’t have to accept this assignment – television and film costumer and Sola2 designer Marie-Noelle Pouliot already has.

When inspiration strikes, she flies to Bali to create small batches of smart, feminine fashions she itches for and can’t find or afford here. Like the flowing tie-dye dresses in sunset colors, flirty white skirts with delicate rainbow stitching, and flattering earth-tone camisoles in her new summer line. On her journeys she also picks up complementary accents, like this season’s colorful jewelry, reptile clutches and leather handbags, butterfly-print sarongs, and other distinctive, handcrafted-quality pieces that perfectly accent her clothes.

Sold only at independent O‘ahu and Big Island boutiques and occasional trunk shows, Sola2 pieces fuse a world of beautiful designs into one nouveau tropical look that seamlessly blends into your island lifestyle.

Which just might make your own top-secret fashion mission a little less impossible.

Most Popular in Lei Chic

About This Blog

Lei Chic is an email and shopping blog that plugs you into Hawai‘i’s newest and hottest boutiques, designers, trends, spas and salons, and more. You’ll also discover all the cool events, dinners and sales happening around town in our Weekend Picks every Thursday. With Lei Chic, you’ll get the inside scoop on what everyone will be talking about tomorrow—in your inbox today.

Lei Chic Editor Natalie Schack has been a cultural anthropology student, museum worker bee and dabbler in graphic design. When she isn’t scouting new fashion, compiling to-do lists or crafting puns, Natalie spends her free time dreaming up elaborate picnic ideas; “researching” via YouTube tutorials, blogs and Instagram; and dusting off her pith helmet for the next adventure life throws her way.